?<strong>Chapter 249:</strong>


    Corrie had noticed that Elyse was wearing a dress in thetest fashion, topped with a particrly stunning pearl crown that was clearly priceless. While Corrie and Jayden were together, his role was purely supportive, helping her stabilize thepany. However, she was aware that she hadn’t achieved these benefits on her own. Reflecting on this made her even more reluctant.


    “Alright, that’s a relief,” she said, her voice tinged with unease. “I was concerned you might be angry that I’m dating your ex-girlfriend.” Brook’s smile was warm and sincere. How much did he like Corrie? He held no real affection for her; quite the opposite. His distaste for her grew, particrly under the belief that she was once romantically involved with Jayden.


    Complicating matters, Debora Owen had usurped his position within thepany, and with a critical meeting looming—a meeting that threatened to castigate him—he needed to secure his influence. His solution was a tactical maneuver: a blind date with a Bates girl, a move designed to solidify his standing and appeasepany stakeholders.


    The arrangement with Corrie was purely strategic, a temporary alliance until he could regain control. Once in power, he nned to sever ties with her. In the meantime, Brook tolerated Corrie’spany, partly to irritate Jayden, an added bonus. Yet Jayden appeared indifferent to his ex-girlfriend’s new involvement. His emotions were only stirred when he witnessed Elyse facing adversity.


    To Brook, Corrie was merely a means to an end, her value limited to the resources and connections she could bring. Yet he was willing to feign interest if it served his purposes.


    As music filled the banquet hall, a parade of elegant couples made their way to the dance floor. Amid the swirl of festivities, Elyse watched dispassionately. However, her friend Tracy leaned in, her voice low. “Are you going to ask Jayden to dance?”


    Caught off guard, Elyse’s gaze instinctively found Jayden across the room, their eyes locking in an unintended moment of connection. Contemting his disability, Elyse responded awkwardly, “I don’t think it would be appropriate.”


    Tracy’s anxiety was palpable. Earlier, as the banquet began without Jayden, whispers circted suggesting Elyse was unimportant, merely thepanion of a cripple as some disrespectfully referred to Jayden. In Tracy’s view, suchments were ignorant. Unbeknownst to the gossipers, Elyse and Jayden shared a deep, abiding love.


    Tracy persisted anxiously. “Why not? You and Jayden are a perfect match, and it’s your birthday party. Shouldn’t Jayden be the one to dance with you?”


    Brook, in a particrly good mood, chimed in with encouragement. “It’s Elyse’s birthday. Come on, Jayden, show her some respect, won’t you?”


    Jayden remained silent, his feelings conflicted. He wanted to dance with Elyse, especially after returning and hearing from Driscoll about the unsettling events of the banquet that had upset her.


    Despite their recent argument, Jayden faced her with a serious expression. “Do you want to dance with me?”


    At that moment, Elyse was struggling to contain her anger. She didn’t want to cause a scene or embarrass Jayden in front of the assembled guests. She extended her hand towards him in response. Together, they made their way to the dance floor hand in hand.


    Seated in his wheelchair, Jayden wasn’t adept at dancing, yet they moved slowly together, drawing the attention of those around them.


    “I’ve never seen Jayden dance before. This is a first.”


    “Now I understand. He must truly love Elyse, going to such lengths to dance with her despite his limitations.”


    “But if he really loved her, why was hete? I don’t think he cares as much as we think.”


    Surrounding murmurs continued, but they did not sway Elyse or Jayden.


    “Do you think I embarrass you?” Jayden asked, concern lining his words.


    Elyse’s response was firm and devoid of any doubt. “If I would be easily embarrassed, I wouldn’t marry you.” Her voice carried a calm, unemotional resolve, cutting through the noise of the crowd.


    After a few seconds of heavy silence, Jayden acknowledged, “You are still angry.”


    “Why can’t I be angry?” Elyse retorted. She had brought up her feelings to Jayden multiple times, but it seemed he never truly grasped what she meant.


    Trying to contain her frustration, she said unhappily, “Anyway, it doesn’t matter what I say. You don’t need to listen to me. I don’t want to know about your affairs either.”


    “You really don’t want to know?” Jayden asked tentatively, a note of uncertainty in his voice.


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